EVENING UPDATE: Expedition Class riders in McGrath; one team scratches

McGrath, AK (February 12, 2021, 7:15 p.m.) – All but one of the seven Expedition Class teams arrived in McGrath as of 5 p.m. Friday, where they will settle in for the evening before heading to Galena on Saturday.

Team 86, Joe Brady and Gage Schaack, were the first to arrive, at roughly 3 p.m., followed by Team 88 (Brian Jurenka, Charlie Potter and Mike Telkamp) and the combined Team 77/55 of Wade Erickson, Seth Kroenke and Bobby Menne, about an hour later. 

Team 54, Robert Bloom and Dan Regan scratched in Rohn, then turned around to ride home. 

“They originally had plans to go as far as they could, but the trail between Puntilla and Rohn is one of the most difficult sections of the trail,” said Iron Dog GPS and timing official Jake Goodell. “They got to Rohn and decided that was enough.”

The next overnight spot for the noncompetitive Expedition Class teams is Galena, a long stretch of about 248 miles. Riders covered nearly 200 miles today.  

The Pro Class departs Saturday, Feb. 13, from Big Lake and will be hot on the heels of the expedition riders. They likely will overtake some of them as they travel at speeds more than double or triple of that of the Expedition Class.  

Media Contact: Mike Vasser, Interim  Executive Director, Iron Dog Inc.

                                       (907) 312-6595        •            director@irondog.org            

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